My guest for this episode is Andy Crouch, author of the book, “The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology In Its Proper Place.”  I’m a big fan of this book and the ideas that Andy shares. This book is so different from other books about technology and parenting because it focuses on the core goals of parenting and child development.  It isn’t a tech-hostile book but is one that seeks to take advantage of the benefits of technology without losing the power of family.

Andy Crouch is an author, speaker, and thought leader.  He is a partner for theology and culture at Praxis, a unique entrepreneurship and non-profit incubator which focuses on redemptive callings.  He has written several books including, “Strong and Weak: Embracing  a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing”, “Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power” and “Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling.”  He has been the editor and producer at Christianity today and his writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time and countless other magazines.”

You can learn more about Andy at his website.

Listen to the interview:

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This interview highlights some aspects of the book but by no means replaces reading the book.  This is a unique book in that it combines some key guiding principles:

1. The importance of family as well as threats to family and individual development.
2. Ways to increase resistance in our children and ourselves to the “quick and easy” lies of technology.
3. Research from Barna regarding families, technology and challenges.
4. An honest perspective from Andy on what it has been like as a family to be “Tech-wise”.

Discussion in the interview:

• Why Andy wrote this book –  skip to
• Why this book includes both theory as well as a section to show how it worked in Andy’s home. skip to
• Discussion on why Andy chose to focus on so much “non-tech” elements in this book:  skip to
• Discussions about “bubbling” kids of just give up mentality that parents face:  skip to
• Andy discusses the biggest threat of technology:  skip to
• The power of the authentic: skip to
• The challenge of boredom: skip to
• Importance about living in non-stimulated environment and power of creativity:  skip to
• Short term verses long-term benefits: skip to
• Raising kids in a home different from their peers:  skip to
• Why parents need to be mindful of tech use.  skip to
• Discussion of kids wanting parents and how we miss the connection.  skip to
• What is the place of technology:  skip to

Learn more about Andy & buy the book:

You can learn more about Andy, the books he’s written, speaking appointments, articles as well as purchase books

andy-crouch.com

Other Project Patch Updates skip to

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Family Experience – This is a Project Patch program which helps families of all types learn to pull together.  It’s a fun and challenging weekend retreat for the whole family held at in Goldendale, WA.  Learn More.
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Refresh Conference – October 5-6 (Chicago, IL)
Sandy SDA Church, Portland, OR – October 13
Medford SDA Church – October 19-20